Garter fastener



May 30, 1933. Q J. DREWS 1,911,441

GARTER FASTENER Filed MarCh 16, 1932 Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTO J. nEEWs, OE MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AAssIeNon OE' ONE PERCENT 1ro IEMA o. THUERMANN, EoETY-NINE PEE CENT` To WILEEED J. TIIUEEMANN, AND ONE PEE CENT To IEMA IJEEWs, OE MILWAUKEE, wIsoONsIN Y 1.

(E1-ARTER FAS'IENER ApplicatiOn filed March 16, 1932. Serial N0. 599,149.

This invention appertains to garter supporters and more particularly to a stocking supporterembodying a novel grip or fastener for engaging the stocking, said gripbeing i susceptible for general purposes, such as grips for blankets on baby cribs, supporting sanitary napkins and for use ingrasping hose incident to the knitting thereof.

In the ordinary type of suspension garters, the stocking grip or fastener embodies a gripping head or stud insertable in the restricted neck portion of a metal loop or body plate. The stocking is gripped between the vhead or stud and the body plate. This type of stocking fastener is open to many serious objections, especially when used in connection with ladies `silk stockings. First, the stud or head presents a projectiomwhich is often visible through the outer garments and this projection causes the wearer considerable discomfort, especially when in a sitting position and when the projection comesv into contact vwith a hard object. Second, the head only exerts a pull on a few of the stocking threads, which causes the stocking to tear or run and in some instances, the stocking will slip unless the stocking is bunched around the stud or head.

Efforts have been made to overcome these difficulties, such as by padding the head. This has not reduced the objections, and, as a result, stocking manufacturers have gone to considerable expense to knit stockings in which the tops will stop'or check runs.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of my invention to provide a garter supporter having a novel stocking grip which will effectively overcome the above vmentioned difculties and which will grip the stocking and hold the same against slipping and which will lie fiat against the leg in parallel relation to the stocking entirely eliminating all projecting heads and the like.

Another salient obj ect of my invention is the provision of a stocking fastener which will engage a great number Of the stocking threads, so as to distribute the pull of the threads over a large area, thereby preventing the tearing of the stocking and the making of runs therein, the Vpull on the stocking being parallel with the threads.

A further prime object of my invention is the provision of a Vstocking fastener embodying inner and outer metal loops or links which are adapted to lie parallel with the stocking, the longer of the two links or loops'y being insertable through the other loop or link for gripping the stocking between the links orv loops, the stocking being securely held at both ends of the loops andV in such a manner that the stronger the pull on the stocking and garter supporter, the tighter the links o'r loops Vwill grip and hold the` stocking. I

A further object of my invention is the provision of a'stocking fastener of the above type, in which the shorter` link or loop has its end cross bars offset inward of the plane of the longitudinal'side bars, whereby the longer link or loop will lie substantially within the plane of the shorter loopor link,

when the longer link is inserted through thek shorter link or loop for engaging the stocking. Y f

A still further object of Vmy Vinvention is eoy to provide an improved stocking fastener of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy toV manufacture and one which can be placed upon the market at an extremely low cost.

With these and other 'objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described,

Figure 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic view, showing the fastener in use and illustrating one ofthe initial steps for insertingy the longer loop or link through the outer shorter link or loop for grasping the stock- Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the longer loop or link inserted entirely through the shorter link or loop with the two loops or links in their stocking engaging position; and,

Figure 7 is a side elevation illustrating a shorter link with the cross bars thereof offset below the plane of the connecting side bars. Y

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, Vthe letter A generally indicates my. improved fastener for the suspension stocking' supporter or garter. The fastener A includes an upper loop or bail 10 preferablyV formed from wire or similar nia-terial to which is connected in the ordinary manner, the elastic (not shown) of the garter. This bail or loop 10 has secured to its lower cross bar, the relativelyT wide supporting fabric or tape 11. This fabric strip 11 can'be formed from any desired material possessing the `necessary strength, such as tape above mentioned, elastic or the like. The lower end of the fabric strip 11 is folded about the upper cross bar 12 of y the outer loop or link 13 which forms an important part of my fastener. This outer loop or link 13 is formed from rounded wire or other stock of the desired gauge and includes the connecting parallel side bars 14 Y which connects the end cross bars 12 and 15 together. These end cross bars 12 and 15 are preferably offset below the plane of the side bars 141 as can be clearly seen by referring toFigure 7 of the drawing. The other part of my improved fastener comprises an inner link or loop 16 which is likewise formed from round wire or other metal stock. This Yinner loop or link 16 includes the longitudinally extending side bais 17 and the end cross bars 18 and 19. This inner link or loop is of a less width than the loop or link 13, but is formed longer than said loop or link 13, for a purpose, which will be later described and set forth.

Secured to the upper cross bar 18 of the inner long link or loop 16 is a length of tape or similar supporting fabric 2O which is sewed or otherwise secured to the inner face of the fabric strip 11. By referring to F igures 3, 5 and 6, it will be noted that nori mally the inner link or loop 16 extends below the outer link or loop 13 and the tape 2O allows suflicient play to permit the insertion of the long inner link 16 through the outer short link or loop 13. In Figure V3, I have illustrated the Y inner long link inserted throughthe outer lshort link and lying on the stocking. The forward edge of the long link or loop 16 is now inserted through the short link or loop 13, carrying the stocking therewith. After the upper cross bar 18 of the long link 16 rides past the cross bar 12 of the short link or loop 13, the link 16 is swung outwardly and through the link 13 and is slid upwardly over the cross bar 12. This position is shown in Figure 6 of the drawing and stocking will be normally held bothat the lower and top ends of thev links. In view of the offset cross bars 12 and 15 of the short link 1 3, the long'link 16 will lie substantially within the plane of the side bars 14 of the link or loop 13, andthus prevent twisting or turning of the long link 16. This provides a flat construction which will not cause thev wearer of lthe any discomfort. Y

Thefastener is of such a character that the same will engage the stocking throughout *its entire width and a large number of threads, from ten to' fifteen willv be engaged by the fastener. This distributes the pull on the stocking and effectively prevents .the

tearing or the forming of runs in the stocking.

Obviously, minor changes in details can be'made and in Figure 4 I have illustrated one modification In this form of the invention, the short link or loop can be formed on the lower end of aA metal supporting frame 21, which takes the place of the fabricl strip 11. The` metal frame 21 can be joined to the elastic receiving loop 22 by theuse of a metal sleeve or the like 23. ln lthis construction, the supporting tape 20 for the Vlong loop 16 can be secured about the sleeve 23. l/Vithout departing from the spirit of my invention a flat plate of any suitable inaterial could be substituted for the long link 16.

The device is extremely flexible and will move with the body of the wearer and when the same is associatedwith the stocking, no metal parts can or will touch the body of the wearer.

Thus, the device lies flat and parallel with the stocking and grips a maximum number of threads and exerts a straight pull thereon.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided a novel stocking .N fastener of exceptionally simple and durable construction, which consists of a minimum number of parts and which can be manufactured and placed on the market at a low cost. f p

While I have referredto the fastener as ilo being particularly adapted for use as a stocking supporter, it is to be understood that the same can be used for any purpose where a fabric grip is needed. Thus the same can be effectively used for gripping blankets to hold the same on cribs and for hplding hose incident to the knitting thereo Owing to the ease of manipulating the clips and their positive grip and flat character, the clips are especially useful for holding sanitary napkins in position and the same entirely eliminate the use of safety pins and the dangers contingent therewith.

I claim:

l. In a stocking supporter, a suspended rectangular shaped ring formed of round wire stock and a second rectangular shaped ring formed of round wire stock loosely associated with the first ring and having a less width than said first ring and a greater length, said second ring being insertable through the first ring for gripping a stocking between said rings.

2. In a stocking supporter, a rectangular suspended ring including parallel side bars and connecting end bars, said end bars being offset inward of the plane of the side bars, a second rectangular shaped ring movable relative to the first ring and of a less width than said first ring and a greater length, said second ring including parallel side bars and connecting cross bars and insertable through the rst ring for gripping a stocking between said rings, the second ring when inserted through the first ring being adapted to rest upon the end cross bars of the first ring and lying substantially within the plane of the side bars of the rst ring, and means connecting the rings together.

8. In a garment supporter, a fastener including a rectangular oblong shaped clamping ring formed of round wire stock including parallel side bars and connecting cross bars, a second rectangularly shaped clamping ring formed of round wire stock movable relative to the first ring and including parallel side bars and connecting cross bars, said second ring being of a less width than the first ring and` of a greater length, whereby the second ring can be inserted through the first ring and overlie the end cross bars thereof for gripping a stocking, and means loosely connecting the rings together.

4l. In a stocking supporter, a supporting loop, a gripping ring formed of round wire stock of rectangular shape in plan suspended from the supporting loop, a second gripping ring formed of round wire stock of rectangular shape in plan, a fabric tab connected with the second ring and secured to the first ring, said second ring being of a less width than the first ring and of a greater length and insertable through the first ring for engaging the ends thereof for gripping a stocking therebetween.

5. A fabric grip for general purposesV comprising a main open body of rectangular configuration in plan arranged to lie on one side of the fabric to be held and a second clamping body formed of round wire stock of less width and greater length than the main body for initially engaging the other side of the fabric, said second clamping body being insertable with the fabric through the main body for clamping the fabric between the opposite ends of said bodies, and means loosely connecting said bodies together.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofv Wisconsin.

- OTTO J DREWS. 

